MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR INDIA KELLS

 

 

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

Hello! My name is India Kells and I write mainly romantic suspense, but I love paranormal romance and erotic romance, so I do write in those genres too.

 

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

My latest book is called Wild Bastard, the third book of my Dark Sparrow series. The idea came for this series came from another series of mine called Women of Purgatory which is a romantic suspense too. I introduced a dark and mysterious character named Lazarus King and he was so interesting and powerful, I decided to expand the universe and I came up with the idea of his evil father and the way Lazarus could fight him by bringing together his brothers, known and unknown. Having those alpha males with very different backgrounds and personalities is amazing. So Wild is the story of Kai Jones, one of the ‘friendlier’ brothers, a former Delta Force and hard man with interesting quirks, and how he meets a woman who had a significant impact on his past.

 

 

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?

I think romantic suspense is the perfect blend of action and intrigue while putting forward the most interesting characters. The intensity forces the characters to push their boundaries and reveal their true selves, without filter. In fact, there is no time for filter when the bad guy is coming after you!

 

What kind of research did you do for this book?

 For me it’s weird because research comes before the book. I get interested in different topics and all of a sudden, they guide me to write my story. I get all the pieces and then I can put the puzzle together.

 

Can you tell me about your Series?

Dark Sparrows is a six-book series and each of them focuses of one of the sons of an evil man called Jamieson Finch. He had six sons with six different women and some of the brothers don’t even know that the other exists! Lazarus King is the catalyst, the one bringing them all together. As for the women, I won’t say how, but they come to be associated with the brothers in different ways, and sparks fly! They are strong women in their unique ways and even if they have to deal with men used to controlling the world around them, these ladies have a mind of their own and a way to get what they want.

 

Do you have a favorite book out of this series?

 I love the story of Lost Bastard, as it sets the pace for the other books, but I have a soft spot for Kai Jones of Wild Bastard, he makes me laugh.

 

 

Was it always meant to become a series?

 I was always mean to be a series of at least 3 books, but not 6! Lol

But brothers emerged and I couldn’t help it.

 

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

I write mostly in the morning and late at night. I tend to have a daily routine, but not a word count. In my experience, some scenes are more complicated or difficult to write, so it can influence the word count. If the story moves forward, I’m happy!

 

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

I’m working on the book following my erotic romance The Debt Collector. But I never stray from my romantic suspense stories for long.

 

 

Where do your ideas come from?

Life is the simplest answer.  Just looking at what happens around me, observing my family, hanging out with my friends… they all are the most honest, crazy, interesting and hilarious places where to look for inspiration.

 

Is there a genre that you’ve been wanting to experiment with?

Not that I want to add another genre to the three I’m currently juggling, but I would be interested in trying dystopian. New interesting worlds, post-apocalyptic universes… I think it would be an interesting challenge!

 

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I like book trailers. I created some for my books and it’s fun to give a visual glimpse of my characters, and a vibe of the stories to the readers. I will be doing one for my Bastard brothers for sure!

 

 

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

It may sound weird, but my very first book is what I’m most proud of. I was navigating in the dark, but it was exhilarating and a lot of work, but when I finally typed ‘The End’, it was as if a new world opened, full of possibilities. I never regretted it!

 

What’s the best thing about being an author?

For me, writing is a lot like therapy. All those voices in my head need to get out and writing is definitely a way not turn into a crazy person.

 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Still writing, I hope. 😊 I want to grow, as a person and a writer, so I wish I will have many more interesting books and many, many more amazing readers who will like them.

 

 

Have you always liked to write?

I first love to read, and I think it’s the very first step to becoming a writer. The love of the words.

 

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Read and write. And don’t stop either. Those are the fuel of authors. Also, start reaching out to authors with similar interests and genres. They can offer amazing tips and advice, and guide you through the opportunities and pitfalls.

 

If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?

I think I would have loved to have a job related to traveling. It’s one of my passions!

 

 

Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?

When I started, I did look at my reviews. In fact, I was obsessed by them. After a while, I realized that I was in a roller-coaster ride, elated when they were good, destroyed when they were bad. So I decided to distance myself a bit and take them with a grain of salt. I see less than stellar reviews as possible roads of improvement, and for good ones, a way for people to say they liked my books.

 

What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?

Between writing and publishing, I have more trouble with the publishing process. It’s difficult to balance the two parts and as an indie writer, I have to make sure to invest time in it, and do constant research to be able to stay on top of trends.

 

Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?

😊 I’m currently working in the book following my erotic romance The Debt Collector.  It’ll be the story of Knox, but we’ll see of lot of Gage too 😉 Also, the third book of my PNR series. Dead Magic, is on a roll too… the story of Finn and Violet will blow your mind.

 

Why did you choose to write in your genre? If you write in more than one, how do you balance them?

I do write in multiple genres and it’s both a challenge and a blessing. A challenge because each of them is very different as of structure and plot line. On the other hand, changing genre keeps my mind sharp and forces me to rethink and reevaluate each of my story lines. No way I can be stuck in a rut!

 

 

Where did your love of books come from?

From the moment I started to read. I think even from the very first book I held in my hands, I was hooked. I read like a mad woman and still do! 😉

 

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

My mood changes often, and I always fall in love with the book I’m currently reading so it’s impossible for me to pick a favorite.

 

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?

I have a soft spot for Owen Sorenson from To Trick a Hacker. The guy is a cryptic man, plagued with regrets but bound with a strong sense of honor. In the book, we see him fight for what he believes is right, putting everything on the line. The woman he meets is a surprise for him, and he is even more surprised by how he reacts to her and how this dangerous mission unfolds for both of them.

  

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

 Starting a new story is exhilarating., but it’s difficult to maintain that momentum. The last third of weaving a story is hell for me. It’s as if I’m threading through molasses!! It takes lots of will and stubbornness but I’m always getting through.

 

 

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Stress and worry are what make my brain freeze. And lack of sleep. Those are sure things to make me stop writing.

 

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I try to be true to myself and write stories that might please readers. I think that even if I stick to some global lines, I give my own personal twists.

 

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I co-write romantic suspense with Maddie Wade. We started a new series that will soon be out, but you can have a taste of our style with Deadly Alliance, which is the meeting of both our universe to present our new series and characters.  

 

 

Where can your fans find you and follow??

I offer free stories on my website so you can have a taste of my style. Also, I always offer promos and giveaways on my FB page! 😊

• Website – https://www.indiakells.com/
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/indiakellsauthor
• Amazon – com/author/indiakells
• Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/india_kells
• BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/india-kells

 

 

Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤️